Some questions regarding the engine oil.

[nickpike]

Hi, I collect my nice new 3.8L Genesis soon.

I'm told by the Service department that the original oil fitted is produced by Total and is fully synthetic. I usually keep my new cars for a few years. I've had my fabulous and reliable Sonata for 9 years. So I like to use good quality, fully synthetic oils.

Is this Total oil good?
At each service, is it satisfactory to just let the dealer use their stockTotal, or should I supply something of better quality, if there is such an oil.

Thanks for any help.

 

[kn5owa]

First off, what country are we talking about here?

Exactly where are you collecting this Genesis?

I've used Mobil One synthetic since 1975, but I am speaking of US of A here.

 

[nickpike]

United Kingdom.
The car is supplied by my local main Hyundai dealer.

cheers.

 

[kn5owa]

United Kingdom.
The car is supplied by my local main Hyundai dealer.

cheers.

I kinda thought so.

Total looks like a big international company to me - In any case - a pure synthetic is a good idea. The big name in the colonies (as far as I'm concerned) is Mobil One. Total would be a new name here - as far as I know - but I'm sure someone will contradict me.

But, in any case, if you're acquiring a new car, you have plenty of time to think about it.

 

[homeofstone]

I think Total oil is a French company. I have never seen the brand here in the U.S. Also, enjoy your new car. We have had our 2011 4.6 V8 Genesis since 2010. Now with over 172,000 miles on it and it still drives and performs like new. Its the most reliable car I have ever owned, and my list includes Acura, Toyota, BMW, Mazda, Mercedes and several American brands.

 

[Lord Humunculous]

There's nothing wrong with Total's synthetic, but in the UK you also have easy access to Redline, Fuchs Titan, Motul's full line, and the full Mobil 1 line. Again, nothing wrong with total, but I think my first choice (were I currently living in the UK) would be Redline or Motul.

jm2c

 

[Mark_888]

BP and Shell products are also widely available in the UK. I would go with one of these two (or Mobil 1 if available). In the US, BP uses the brand name Castrol, but I believe they use the BP Visco brand name in the UK.

As to the factory fill, in the US Hyundai Motor America does not specify full synthetic for the Genesis. What does the owner's manual in the UK say about motor oil requirements?

If Hyundai does not specify that owners use a full synthetic, I doubt they use a full synthetic at the factory (but it is possible). In either case, I strongly recommend using a full synthetic after engine break-in. It is also "possible" that they use Total motor oil as factory fill, but odds are against it. The factory can also change which oil vendor to use, and probably do that from time to time.

If one purchases Hyundai branded oil from a Hyundai dealer in the UK, it may be made by Total, but that is a Hyundai UK (or EU) decision, and is unlikely to be the same brand as factory fill.

Good to know that car dealers in others countries are full of the same BS as the ones in the USA.

 

[Midnightsun]

Two things.

As far as I know Hyundai they use conventional oil at the factory and in fact the recommended oil is conventional.(no harm in using synthetic at all) Secondly, Our cars have a sticker under the hood which say to Use "Shell Helix" which we cannot even get her in North America however it is widely available in Europe so that would be your best bet.

 

[Mark_888]

Secondly, Our cars have a sticker under the hood which say to Use "Shell Helix" which we cannot even get her in North America however it is widely available in Europe so that would be your best bet.

That sticker is a essentially a paid advertisement and most likely part of the deal they got on the bulk oil to use as factory fill for the 3 million vehicles that Hyundai makes every year.

In the USA, the sticker says Quaker State (which along with Pennzoil, is part of SOPUS - Shell Oil Products US).

I certainly cannot see a loyal Brit using a French motor oil.

 

[Midnightsun]

That sticker is a essentially a paid advertisement and most likely part of the deal they got on the bulk oil to use as factory fill for the 3 million vehicles that Hyundai makes every year.

In the USA, the sticker says Quaker State (which along with Pennzoil, is part of SOPUS - Shell Oil Products US).

I certainly cannot see a loyal Brit using a French motor oil.

Sure it is however if it is a recommended oil they cannot argue the fact it is the oil that's to blame if there is a warranty claim on the engine. Personally I do not give a hoot what brand it is. I happen to have 20 quarts of Valvoline Synthetic on hand because it was on sale at 1/2 price. Next time I buy it could be Shell or Castrol all depends on what is on sale when I walk into the store. Only reason I went with Synthetic is because it gives me extended oil changes which are a blessing with the freakin PITA oil change panels and all. I now do mine at 10,000km intervals. All the other cars I service in our family get conventional oil at lesser intervals.

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[Mark_888]

Sure it is however if it is a recommended oil they cannot argue the fact it is the oil that's to blame if there is a warranty claim on the engine.

There is absolutely no chance of that happening in the US to do the warranty laws in effect. I would bet money that only a small percentage of Hyundai dealers in the USA use Quaker State or Shell.

 

[TEF]

Relative to Shell Hellix oil, I read that it is sold in the US as Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic (made from natural gas). Since Shell owns Pennzoil, they sell their oil in this country under that name. It's understandable why they would not market the same oil under both names and just compete with themselves. Moreover, Pennzoil has a long tradition in the US as a maker of quality lubricants - even though the company no longers has anything to do with Pennsylvania or now, apparently, oil.

 

[Mark_888]

Relative to Shell Hellix oil, I read that it is sold in the US as Pennzoil Platinum Fully Synthetic (made from natural gas). Since Shell owns Pennzoil, they sell their oil in this country under that name. It's understandable why they would not market the same oil under both names and just compete with themselves. Moreover, Pennzoil has a long tradition in the US as a maker of quality lubricants - even though the company no longers has anything to do with Pennsylvania or now, apparently, oil.

TEF, what you say is true. However, only their synthetic oil is made from natural gas, and they still sell conventional oil.

Shell does market some products in their own name in the US, but mainly for the diesel and truck engine segment (Rotella). Also, Shell Oil USA also has significant exploration, production, refining, marketing, and chemical operations in the USA, and other locations around the world.

Royal Dutch Shell headquarters is located in the Netherlands, but the parent holding company is incorporated in the UK.

 

[nickpike]

Many thanks for all the input guys. The car is made in Korea. The Service department tell me it is Total as delivered, so I can't see a reason not to believe that. And they use Total for the service.

Would this oil be about the best, Mobil 1 ESP?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004RCNOC8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

not sure what the ESP is all about.

I used to use Amsoil, but it is just a silly high price now.

 

[Mark_888]

Many thanks for all the input guys. The car is made in Korea. The Service department tell me it is Total as delivered, so I can't see a reason not to believe that. And they use Total for the service.

Would this oil be about the best, Mobil 1 ESP?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B004RCNOC8?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

not sure what the ESP is all about.

I used to use Amsoil, but it is just a silly high price now.

Yes, the Genesis is only made in South Korea.

No, do not use Mobil 1 ESP. That is a low emission oil that is not suitable for a Hyundai (it is primarily for German cars). Being a low emission oil, it does not contain certain additives that Hyundai wants in their oil.

Maybe the dealer changed the oil and put Total oil in it, but it is extremely unlikely that the factory in Korea put Total oil in it. Check your owners manual where they talk about motor oil, and I bet it says they recommend Shell. If you believe everything a dealer says, you are extremely naïve.

Amsoil has three different types of synthetic motor oil (Signature, XL, and OE). The best one (Signature) costs a fortune, but is not suitable for a Genesis as it is not API certified (and theoretically could void your warranty since it might damage your emissions system). The other two Amsoil (XL and OE) are API certified, but are mediocre, and over-priced. If you are in the UK, I would use a synthetic from BP or Shell, but not a European Formula oil.

 

[nickpike]

Can you suggest a Shell oil as there are several kinds of the Helix brand?
I used to test industrial fluids many years ago (cutting oils, grinding coolants, etc) and the Shell products always performed the best.

cheers
Nick

 

[Mark_888]

Can you suggest a Shell oil as there are several kinds of the Helix brand?
I used to test industrial fluids many years ago (cutting oils, grinding coolants, etc) and the Shell products always performed the best.

cheers
Nick

The correct Shell synthetic in the UK for the Hyundai Genesis V6 is Shell Helix Ultra Professional AF 5W-30. However, I would not switch to synthetic until about 3,000 - 5,000 miles with the factory fill, to make sure the rings seat properly with conventional oil.

BTW, I found this in the Shell UK site:

Hyundai

The Hyundai Shell World Rally Team is a brand new force in the world’s most prestigious rally series, developing a brand new car in the shape of the Hyundai i20 WRC with a dazzling line-up of driving talent.

Shell and Hyundai have been global partners since 2005, with a Global Aftermarket Agreement in place across 67 markets worldwide. Shell’s technical partnership aims to co-engineer a winning edge to Hyundai Motorsport as it competes at the highest level of global rallying.

 

[nickpike]

Many thanks
Nick

 

[nickpike]

Hi again. The car I'm buying is a ex demonstrator but only has 200 miles on the clock. It's spent most of its life in the show room. It is in fact one year old (build date 4th Dec 2014), but I'm getting a massive discount on the new price. It looks and smells like new. Bearing this in mind, would it be still best to leave the originally fitted oil in until 3000 miles, and then change to Shell, or is the original oil too old already?

 

[Mark_888]

Hi again. The car I'm buying is a ex demonstrator but only has 200 miles on the clock. It's spent most of its life in the show room. It is in fact one year old (build date 4th Dec 2014), but I'm getting a massive discount on the new price. It looks and smells like new. Bearing this in mind, would it be still best to leave the originally fitted oil in until 3000 miles, and then change to Shell, or is the original oil too old already?

Motor oil does not go bad just by sitting (unless you are talking about 10 years), so I would leave it in for 3000 miles, and then switch to synthetic. If you do want to change it, put in conventional oil and then switch to Shell synthetic after 3000 - 5000 miles.